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Prognosis of depression in the elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Aideen Freyne  and
Margo Wrigley
Margo Wrigley
Affiliation:
James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland
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Abstract

Objective: To ascertain the outcome of depression and factors associated with outcome over a minimum followup period of 12 months in patients referred to an Old Age Psychiatry Service.

Method: A retrospective study was performed. All depressed patients assessed by the service between January 1989 and December 1990 were followed up. This included patients seen on domiciliary and consultationliaison visits. Follow up data included information on physical, psychological, cognitive and social parameters using standardised scales where appropriate. Outcome of depression was assessed using a six point scale to enable comparison with other studies.

Results: 86 patients with a primary diagnosis of depression were seen in 1989 and 1990. At follow up, 37% were dead. 50% of patients alive at follow up were well and 7% were demented. Patients seen on domiciliary visits had the best outcome, and those with physical illness or cognitive impairment at presentation the worst outcome.

Conclusion: The association between physical status and outcome highlights the need for close monitoring of both physical and mental status of depressed elderly patients.

Keywords

PrognosisDepressionElderly
Type
Research Article
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , March 1995 , pp. 6 - 11
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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